Arkansas Basketball Is More Than a Two-Man Show - And That’s What Makes Them Dangerous
Trevon Brazile and Darius Acuff have been the headline-makers for Arkansas, and for good reason. They’ve led the Razorbacks to a 9-2 record and helped vault the program as high as No. 14 in the national rankings.
But if you think this team is riding on the shoulders of just two stars, think again. What’s brewing in Fayetteville is a deep, balanced roster that’s starting to look like a real problem for the rest of the SEC - and maybe even more than that.
A Complete Team Performance
Arkansas’ latest win was a textbook example of what makes this squad so intriguing. Yes, Brazile and Acuff are the engine, but the Razorbacks have plenty of horsepower behind them.
Nick Pringle, the transfer big man, found his groove with a season-high 14 points, adding seven rebounds and two steals for good measure. It was the kind of performance that doesn’t just fill up a stat sheet - it reaffirms the depth of this rotation.
Then there’s DJ Wagner, who’s been searching for consistency but showed flashes of his potential with 10 points and three assists on an efficient 3-of-4 shooting night. When Wagner is playing within himself and letting the game come to him, he adds another layer of versatility to the backcourt.
Billy Richmond III continues to be one of the more quietly effective players on this roster. He dropped 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, pulled down five boards, and once again looked like a player who understands how to impact the game without forcing anything.
This is the kind of depth that wins games in March. On any given night, Arkansas can get production from any spot on the floor - and that’s a luxury most teams don’t have.
Defense That Travels
Offense might get the highlights, but Arkansas is winning just as much with its defense. Against Queens, the Razorbacks held their opponent to 44% shooting and a frigid 24% from beyond the arc (6-of-25).
They forced 17 turnovers, constantly applying pressure and disrupting offensive flow. Even though they narrowly lost the rebounding battle 34-33, the defensive effort was relentless from start to finish.
The Hogs are showing they can win even when the shots aren’t falling - and that’s the kind of identity that travels well, especially in conference play.
Meleek Thomas: Valuable Even When Shots Don’t Fall
Freshman sharpshooter Meleek Thomas had a rough night from the field, going just 1-of-11 and finishing with three points. But here’s the thing: he still made a real impact.
Thomas dished out six assists, grabbed four rebounds, and added two steals. That’s the mark of a player who understands the game beyond scoring.
Yes, Thomas has cooled off lately - he’s shooting just 7-of-31 over his last three - but his season numbers still show a player who contributes across the board. He’s averaging 14.8 points and 3.4 assists per game, and he brings a level of defensive energy that keeps Arkansas’ second unit humming. When his shot starts falling again - and odds are it will - this bench gets even more dangerous.
Built on Balance
The numbers don’t lie: Arkansas has seven players averaging at least 7.5 points per game. Brazile and Acuff are the leaders, but Thomas, Karter Knox (9.8), Richmond (8.7), Wagner (8.2), and Malique Ewin (7.5) are all capable of stepping up. That kind of scoring distribution makes it nearly impossible for defenses to key in on just one or two guys.
And it’s not just about putting points on the board. Four players average at least four rebounds per game - Brazile (7.1), Knox (5.5), Pringle (5.4), and Thomas (4.0).
On defense, it’s a group effort too, with four Razorbacks averaging at least one steal per game: Thomas, Brazile, Wagner (all at 1.5), and Knox (1.1). This team plays connected, unselfish basketball on both ends of the floor.
A Team Built for the Long Haul
Brazile and Acuff might be the stars, but Arkansas’ real power lies in its versatility and depth. Every player in the rotation knows their role, and more importantly, they embrace it. Whether it’s a freshman finding ways to contribute on an off night or a transfer big man stepping up when needed, this team has shown it can win in different ways.
As SEC play looms and the competition stiffens, that balance could be Arkansas’ biggest weapon. Teams like this - deep, unselfish, defensively committed - tend to get better as the season goes on.
If the Razorbacks keep getting contributions up and down the roster, they won’t just stay ranked. They’ll be a team nobody wants to see come tournament time.